Many summer residents want to save space on their plot. One practical option is to sow cucumbers in an old metal barrel. When properly prepared, this container replaces a small bed with minimal maintenance time.
Why does it work
Metal walls protect the root system from the wind, and the compact structure can be placed even in a shady or cluttered corner of the garden. However, it is worth considering that dark metal gets very hot in the sun.
For this reason, it is recommended to paint the barrel white or wrap it in light lutrasil.
How to sow cucumbers in a barrel
Fill the container halfway with fresh weeds (preferably May weeds), add rotted compost, and put garden soil on top. Insert a piece of water pipe with drilled holes into the middle. It is through this that the plants should be watered so that the water flows directly to the roots.
Plant the seeds in the ground in the first ten days of May. It is better to protect the edges of the barrel so that the lashes are not injured by sharp metal. Cut plastic pipes are suitable for this.
On cool nights, cover the structure with lutrasil and remove the cover during the day. Plain fabric reduces the risk of temperature changes.
Care instructions
It is advisable to water daily. Approximately – one bucket of water in the pipe and the second on top, trying not to wet the leaves. The soil dries out faster in a barrel than in open ground.
A month after germination, the lashes fall to the ground. Further care comes down to regular watering, and the first fruits appear in early July.
It is worth choosing hybrid varieties labeled F1. With this method of planting, you can get 5–8 fruits per day – this is enough for salads and everyday use, reports “My Rake!” (18+).
